Week 17 NFL Vegas Game Lines: Point Spreads & Betting Totals

Handicapping Week 17 is no easy task, which is why when oddsmakers post those early season odds in the spring, they only list odds for Weeks 1-16. The biggest thing is you have a bunch of teams with a lot still at stake against teams who are just playing for pride.

The books know the public is drawn to the teams with something to play for against those that don’t, so you can expect to a premium on most favorites. The problem is, you just don’t know which of the bottom feeders are going to show up and try and play spoiler and which ones are counting down the minutes to the offseason.

In the AFC, there’s really only a couple spots up for grabs. Assuming the Chiefs beat the Raiders at home and the Patriots take care of business at home against the Jets. KC will be the AFC West champs and the No. 1 seed, while the Patriots will earn the No. 2 seed and a first round bye.

The Ravens can clinch the AFC North with a win over the Browns. However, a loss by Baltimore (not out of the question with how well Cleveland has been playing), would open up the door for the Steelers to overtake them in the division (need to win at home against the Bengals). Note that winning the AFC North is the only possibility for either team to make the playoffs.

The Texans need to beat the Jaguars at home to clinch the AFC South. A loss and the division title would go to the winner of the Colts/Titans matchup on Sunday Night Football. Note that if Houston wins, the Colts/Texans winner would then be playing for the No. 6 seed.

That leaves the Chargers sitting in the No. 5 seed and facing a difficult choice. Does LA truly think there’s a chance the Chiefs will lose at home to the Raiders? If they don’t, they could end up resting some guys knowing that they will have to play next week on the road in the Wild Card round.

In the NFC, the Saints have the NFC South and No. 1 seed locked up. The Rams have won the NFC West and a win over the 49ers at home would lock them in as the No. 2 seed.

Chicago has won the NFC North and can’t finish worst than the No. 3 seed, but are just 1-game back of the Rams and hold the tie-breaker. Here’s another interesting scenario. How much do the Bears really think LA is going to lose at home to SF?

Dallas has the NFC East and No. 4 seed in the bag and we know that the Seahawks are guaranteed one of the two Wild Card spots. Right now Seattle would be the No. 5 and should stay there given they host the Cardinals this week. That leaves the Vikings and Eagles fighting for that final Wild Card spot. Minnesota is in if they win or Philadelphia loses.

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